By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

After five seasons in the Houston Astros organization, right-hander Brock Dykxhoorn (Goderich, Ont.) has signed a reported one-year, $700,000 (US) contract to join the Korean Baseball Organization’s (KBO) SK Wyverns.

The 24-year-old Canuck split the 2018 season between the Astros’ double-A and triple-A affiliates, posting a combined 9-4 record and a 3.97 ERA in 25 appearances.

Selected in the sixth round (166th overall) out of Central Arizona College by the Astros in 2014, Dykxhoorn registered 33 wins and a 4.37 ERA in 108 minor league appearances - including 80 starts - from 2014 to 2018.

He now joins fellow Canadian Jamie Romak (London, Ont.) on the powerful SK Wyverns squad that recently captured the 2018 KBO championship. Romak and Dykxhoorn have trained together in the off-season and played together on the Canadian National Team.

"I am very excited for this opportunity and what it will provide for my future in baseball. I owe a huge thank you to the @astrosbaseball for the past 5 years of development as both a baseball player and a man. I couldn’t have asked for a better organization to come up with, and I will miss many of my teammates and coaching staff that I respect so much," said Dykxhoorn in an Instagram post. "Looking forward, I am honored to be a part of the SK Wyverns and looking to defend their 2018 KBO Championship."

A report from the Yonhap News Agency indicates that Dykxhoorn is expected to replace SK Wyverns ace Merrill Kelly on the staff. Kelly has left the team to pursue major league opportunities.